Know Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B disproportionately affects Asian Americans
Hepatitis B is common worldwide, especially in many parts of Asia and the Pacific Islands. In the United States, hepatitis B disproportionately affects Asian Americans. While Asian Americans make up 6% of the US population, they account for more than 60% of Americans living with hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B is serious, but treatments are available
Left untreated, nearly 1 in 4 people living with hepatitis B develop serious liver problems, even liver cancer. In fact, hepatitis B-related liver cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths among Asian Americans. Getting tested for hepatitis B can help many people access lifesaving treatments that can prevent serious liver damage.
2 in 3 Asian Americans with hepatitis B don’t know they are infected
People can live with hepatitis B for decades without having any symptoms or feeling sick. hepatitis B is usually spread when someone comes into contact with blood from someone who has the virus, and many people living with hepatitis B got infected as infants or young children. Testing is the only way to know if someone has hepatitis B.
Who should get tested for hepatitis B?
- Anyone born regions of the world where hepatitis B is common, including Asia, the Pacific Islands and Africa
- Anyone born in the United States, who was not vaccinated at birth, and has at least one parent born in regions of the world with high rate of hepatitis B, including East or Southeast Asia the Pacific Islands (except New Zealand and Australia) and Sub-Saharan Africa
- Hepatitis B testing identifies people living with hepatitis B so they can get medical care to help prevent serious liver damage. Talk to a doctor about getting tested for hepatitis B.
